James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I went through a number of local issues earlier so I will not recap them. On wider issues, as I mentioned I am the Cathaoirleach of the justice committee and over the past year or two we have been looking at the licensing laws in some detail. The witnesses are familiar with the proposals to extend opening hours. There have been mixed reactions from publicans and pub goers. A key element would be later and more extensive public transport. Is this sector ready for this yet? What are the views of the witnesses? It strikes me that perhaps we are not quite there yet. We need to have the various support systems in place, including public transport and security on public transport for the drivers as much as anyone and for the users before we do this. What are the views of the sector?